So what if compressed audio files don’t reproduce a CD recording perfectly? Bowers and Wilkins’ Zeppelin is designed to bring the absolute cream of speaker componentry to a premium portable iPod platform.

Form follows function – the Zeppelin shape allows the large bass unit to sit in the broad center of the device and the form tapers towards the ends, where the smaller mid-range and tweeter drivers are placed. Three amplifiers drive left, right and bass channels, adding to a sound quality that the company believes will set a new standard for the “made for iPod” market.

While most sizes of iPod can click straight into the spring-loaded dock on the face of the unit, taking pride of place in the two-foot wide design, less fashionable devices can be played through a set of input jacks at the rear of the Zeppelin. An S-Video jack lets you sit the Zeppelin on top of a TV and run a video-out stream from video-equipped iPods to the screen.

Custom tone shaping (EQ to the rest of us) can be set to compensate for different environments where walls might not be available to boost bass frequencies, and a tiny remote can be used, it seems, only to change the volume.

The B&W website for the US$599Zeppelin is almost as impressive and stylish as the device itself; visit it here.

Loz has been one of Gizmag's most versatile contributors since 2007. Joining the team as a motorcycle specialist, he has since covered everything from medical and military technology to aeronautics, music gear and historical artefacts. Since 2010 he's branched out into photography, video and audio production, and he remains the only Gizmag contributor willing to put his name to a sex toy review. A singer by night, he's often on the road with his a cappella band Suade. All articles by Loz BlainFollow @loz_blain